Ford’s new Mondeo may have been delayed, but development continues apace on the replacement for the company’s large MPV, the Galaxy.

This development mule was spotted on the M25 in Essex, close to the company’s Dunton research and development centre, and features a 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine under the bonnet. And as the secret research centre is responsible for development of the new 2.0-litre Panther diesel engine, it is highly possible that the Galaxy will be one of the first recipients of the new unit. This engine will replace the 2.0-litre and 2.2-litre TDCi engines that were jointly developed with PSA Peugeot-Citroen and will be built at Ford’s Dagenham Diesel Centre, just a few miles up the road from the Dunton research centre.

The development mule uses the current Galaxy as a basis, and features a repositioned fuel filler cap, as well as twin outlets for the exhaust. The angle of the pictures could be deceiving, but it also looks like the rear overhang and third side window are also shorter.

When the car arrives in showrooms in 2015, it is expected to be powered by a choice of new 1.5-litre and 2.0-litre diesel engines.